Xbox Developer Direct has shared the regrettable news that CI Games, the publisher behind successful titles Lords of the Fallen and Sniper: Ghost Warrior, has been forced to lay off 10% of its workforce. This step was taken in an effort to maintain the company's stability and robustness during tumultuous times in the gaming industry, which has been marked by substantial job losses. The move impacts various employees, with developer studio Hexworks, which worked on Lords of the Fallen, reportedly being among those affected. The layoff adds to the industry's woes following a tough year, with many developers and renowned studios facing job cuts. Lords of the Fallen, released in October 2023, was well received, achieving critical acclaim and impressive sales, selling a million copies in just 10 days.

Which major gaming studios faced layoffs in 2023 and 2024?

Several gaming studios, including Dreams' Media Molecule, Cyberpunk 2077's CD Projekt Red, F1 Manager's Frontier Developments, and Assassin's Creed's Ubisoft, experienced layoffs. Large corporations like Embracer, Epic Games, and Hasbro reported significant workforce reductions as well. Entire development studios such as Campfire Cabal, Volition Games, and TimeSplitters' Free Radical also closed down.

Lords of the Fallen was well-received critically upon its release, seen as a compelling addition to the 'Soulslike' genre. The game, developed by Hexworks and published by CI Games, was often compared to Dark Souls, yet distinguished with its unique dual-reality feature. The game's success is noteworthy, selling over a million copies within ten days, underscoring the high demand and popularity for challenging, atmospheric RPG experiences steeped in dark fantasy elements. The layoffs at CI Games, however, emphasize the fragility of the game development industry even when faced with commercial success.